Lake sediments are sensitive to landscape changes and most of these changes seem to be modulated by land-use (anthropogenic factors) coupled to palaeoenvironmental/palaeoclimatic changes. In its detrital ... [more ▼]

Lake sediments are sensitive to landscape changes and most of these changes seem to be modulated by land-use (anthropogenic factors) coupled to palaeoenvironmental/palaeoclimatic changes. In its detrital fraction, the lacustrine sediments record the history of soil erosion within its catchment via the inputs of clays and others detrital products. Within a Mediterranean context, the study investigates the upper sediments infilling the central part of the Amik basin in southern Turkey. This tectonic basin was occupied and exploited by modern human at least since 6000-7000 BC. We focus on the clay mineralogy (x-ray diffraction on oriented aggregates) and magnetic susceptibility measurements (Bartington) of the sedimentary record in the area over the last 4000 years, to assess environmental changes in relation with the different land uses and/or weathering during the successive Bronze, Iron, Roman, Islamic/Ottoman and Modern civilizations. The clay fraction of Amik Lake sediments comprises smectite, kaolinite, illite, chlorite and chlorite/smectite mixed layers that are the inherited clay phases. A relative change in abundance and crystallinity and chemistry of illite attests that environmental conditions evolved in the Amik Plain from the Bronze to Modern Age in relation with climates and/or land-use changes. The history of the Amik Lake reveals different soil erosion episode. The most intense erosion phase occurred during the Bronze/Iron Ages as indicated by the clay and magnetic susceptibility proxies. The Roman period was an exceptional period with soil erosion products arriving from the watershed, probably due the water channelization. A reduction of soil erosion occurred during the post Roman period until nowadays. Significant pedogenesis transformations are evidenced, especially during the Islamic/Ottoman periods suggesting intense chemical weathering conditions related to climate change. [less ▲]

The Fuji Fives Lakes are located at the foot of Mount Fuji volcano close to the triple junction, where the North American Plate, the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea Plate meet. These lakes are ... [more ▼]

The Fuji Fives Lakes are located at the foot of Mount Fuji volcano close to the triple junction, where the North American Plate, the Eurasian plate and the Philippine Sea Plate meet. These lakes are ideally situated to study Mount Fuji volcanism and the interaction between volcanism, changes in lake sedimentation rates and the ability of lakes to record paleoearthquakes. Here, we present newly acquired geological data of Lake Yamanaka and Lake Motosu, including seismic reflection profiles, gravity and piston cores. These two lakes and their respective watersheds were affected by several eruptions of Mount Fuji. Lake Yamanaka, a very shallow lake (max. depth 14 m), was heavily impacted by the scoria fall-out of the A.D. 1707 Hoei eruption of Mount Fuji. A detailed investigation of the effect of the Hoei eruption was conducted on short gravity cores, using high resolution XRD, C/N and 210Pb/137Cs analyses. The preliminary results suggest that the sedimentation rate of Lake Yamanaka drastically reduced after the Hoei eruption, followed by an increase until the present day. Similarly, lacustrine sedimentation in Lake Motosu (max. depth 122 m) was disturbed by Mount Fuji volcanism at a larger scale. The watershed of Lake Motosu was impacted by several lava flows and scoria cones. For example, the Omuro scoria cone reduced the catchment size of Lake Motosu and modified its physiography. The related scoria fall out covered an extensive part of the lake catchment and reduced terrigenous sedimentary influx to Lake Motosu. Within the deep basin of Lake Motosu, seismic reflection data shows two different periods that are distinguished by a major change in the dominant sedimentary processes. During the first period, sublacustrine landslides and turbidity currents were the dominant sedimentation processes. During the second one, the seismic stratigraphy evidences only deposition of numerous turbidites interrupting the hemipelagic sedimentation. Changes in sedimentary processes can be linked to the modification of the lake watershed by Mount Fuji volcanism, leading to a decrease in the sediment volume that can be remobilized, and therefore disappearance of large sublacustrine landslides. Turbidites are deposited due to surficial remobilization of lake slope sediments most probably as a result of earthquake shaking. When studying sedimentological records of lakes to define the paleoearthquake record, eruptions of nearby volcanoes should be taken into account. This study suggests that a large magnitude earthquake occurring few decades after a volcanic eruption (with large scale scoria fall-out), might not be recorded in a lake, or would only be fingerprinted in the sedimentary record by small turbiditic flows. References: Miyaji N., Kan'no A., Kanamaru T., Mannen K. 2011. High-resolution reconstruction of the Hoei eruption (AD 1707) of Fuji volcano, Japan. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 207, 113–129. [less ▲]

Turbidites have been extensively studied in many different areas using cores or outcrop, which represent only an integrated snapshot of a dynamic evolving flow. Laboratory experiments provide the missing ... [more ▼]

Turbidites have been extensively studied in many different areas using cores or outcrop, which represent only an integrated snapshot of a dynamic evolving flow. Laboratory experiments provide the missing relationships between the flow characteristics and their deposits. In particular, flume experiments emphasize that the presence of clay plays a key role in turbidity current dynamics. Clay fraction, in small amount, provides cohesive strength to sediment mixtures and can damp turbulence. However, the degree of flocculation is dependent on factors such as the amount and size of clay particles, the surface of clay particles, chemistry and pH conditions in which the clay particles are dispersed. The present study focuses on thin clayey sand turbidites found in Lake Hazar (Turkey) occurring in stacked thin beds. Depositional processes and sources have been previously studied and three types were deciphered, including laminar flows dominated by cohesion, transitional, and turbulence flow regimes (Hage et al., in revision). For the purpose of determine the clay behavior in the three flow regimes, clay mineralogical, geochemical measurements on the cores allow characterising the turbidites. SEM observations provide further information regarding the morphology of clay minerals and other clasts. The study is particularly relevant given the highly alkaline and saline water of the Hazar Lake. Clay minerals in Hazar Lake sediments include kaolinite (1:1-type), illite and chlorite (2:1-type). Hazar lake water is alkaline having pH around 9.3, in such alkaline environment, a cation-exchange reaction takes place. Furthermore, in saline water (16‰), salts can act as a shield and decrease the repulsive forces between clay particle surfaces. So, pH and salt content jointly impact the behaviour of clays differently. Since the Al-faces of clay structures have a negative charge in basic solutions. At high pH, all kaolinite surfaces become negative-charged, and then kaolinite particles are dispersed, and the suspension is stabilized supported by our SEM observations. In alkaline water, kaolinite reveals a lower degree of consolidation. While, alkaline water has no measurable effect on illite and chlorite surface properties due to the absence of modifications in charge. Illite and chlorite form with other clasts clusters or aggregate structures in suspension when the particle interactions are dominated by attractive energies were formed. The aggregate structure plays a major part in the flow behavior of clay suspensions. Flocs will immobilize the suspending medium, and give rise to increasing viscosity and yield strength of the suspension. [less ▲]

The last eruption of Mt Fuji (Japan) occurred in A.D. 1707. The eruption lasted 16 days from 16 December 1707 to 1 January 1708 (Tsuya, 1955) and 1.8 km3 of volcanic materials were ejected in total ... [more ▼]

The last eruption of Mt Fuji (Japan) occurred in A.D. 1707. The eruption lasted 16 days from 16 December 1707 to 1 January 1708 (Tsuya, 1955) and 1.8 km3 of volcanic materials were ejected in total (Miyaji et al., 2011). Lake Yamanaka, a very shallow lake (max. 14. 3 m depth) located at the foot of the east-north-eastern flank of Mt Fuji, was heavily impacted by the eruption. A thick scoria layer entirely covered the catchment of Lake Yamanaka. The thickness of the deposit varies from 5 to 37 cm around Lake Yamanaka and reaches up to 149 cm at the south-west extremity of the catchment (Miyaji et al., 2011). In order to study the influence of Hoei eruption on Lake Yamanaka, 5 gravity cores were taken during the 2014 QuakeRecNankai campaign. The Hoei scoria was present at the bottom of the one core and in the core catcher of the four other cores. High resolution magnetic susceptibility, XRD, XRF, LOI, C/N and 210Pb/137Cs analyses were performed on the gravity cores. The results shows three distinct periods of sedimentation: (1) From Hoei eruption to A.D. 1900; (2) From A.D. 1900 to A.D. 1990; (3) From A.D. 1990 to A.D. 2014. The first period is characterized by a very low sedimentation rate (~0.07 cm/yr). During this period, the sediments of the catchment were trapped below the thick Hoei scoria layer. However, peaks of terrigenous input are recorded. We link such detrical signals with violent typhoons that hit the Fuji Five Lakes region. The water from the heavy rains percolated through the porous thick scoria layer and saturated it. As a result, surface runoffs carried the sediments from the catchment into Lake Yamanaka. The second period (from A.D. 1900 to A.D. 1990) is defined by an increase of the sedimentation rate (~0.16 cm/yr). The development of soil and the agriculture (e.g. pastureland, rice field, mulberry plantations) reduced the impact of Hoei scoria. The terrigenous inputs are higher than previously but remained more or less constant during this period of time. As the thickness of the scoria layer is partially reduced or covered by new soil, rains triggered by smaller typhoons could drain the sediments from watershed and transport them into the lake. The most recent period representing the last 27 years is characterized by a very high sedimentation rate (~1.036 cm/yr). The transition between period 2 and period 3 corresponds to the development of mass tourism and the urbanization around Lake Yamanaka. It is marked by an increasing of atmospheric pollution (Pb, Zn). In the upper part of the cores, a peak of 137Cs is observed. Such peak is related to cesium fall-out after Fukushima incident in 2011. In addition to the fingerprint of human impact, the lake also record a terrigenous signal related to the 2007 Fitow typhoon which provoked damage in the area. This study highlights the influence of eruptions and typhoons on the sedimentation of Lake Yamanaka. In the present day, the sedimentation recovery after a major eruption is accelerated by human activity. References: Miyaji N., Kan'no A., Kanamaru T., Mannen K. 2011. High-resolution reconstruction of the Hoei eruption (AD 1707) of Fuji volcano, Japan. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 207, 113–129. Tsuya, H. 1955. Geological and petrological studies of volcano, Fuji, V.: 5. on the 1707 eruption of Volcano Fuji. Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute 33, 341–383. [less ▲]

This study investigates the upper sediments infilling the central part of the Amik Basin in Southern Turkey. The Amik Basin is located in a tectonically active area: it is crossed by the Dead Sea Fault, a ... [more ▼]

This study investigates the upper sediments infilling the central part of the Amik Basin in Southern Turkey. The Amik Basin is located in a tectonically active area: it is crossed by the Dead Sea Fault, a major neotectonic structure in the Middle East extending from the Red Sea in the South to the East Anatolian Fault Zone in the North. Continuous human occupation is attested since 6000-7000 BC in the Amik Basin. The study focuses on the sedimentary record of the Lake Amik occupying the central part of the Basin. Our objective is to constrain major paleo-environmental changes over the last 4000 years. The lake has been drained and progressively dried up since the mid-50s. The absence of water column during the summer season allows to collect lacustrine samples along a 5 meter depth trench with a sampling resolution of 1 to 2 cm. Diverse complementary methods were applied to characterize the sedimentary record: i.e. magnetic susceptibility, grain size, organic and inorganic matter by loss-of-ignition, mineralogy by X-ray diffraction and core scanner X-ray fluorescence (XRF) geochemistry. The age of the record is constrained combining radionuclide and radiocarbon datings. Structural disturbances observed in the lacustrine sediments record are linked with major historical earthquakes from the 6th to the 9th century AD due to the Hasipasa Fault rupture. In addition to the tectonic influence, the sedimentary record clearly shows two periods indicating strong soil erosion in the lake catchment: (1) the most recent erosion phase occurs over the Roman period to Present; (2) the oldest one would have occurred during the Late Bronze period. Such changes are most probably related to change in land use. In term of climate influences, the mineralogical and geochemical results allow to evidence variations in chemical weathering conditions in the watershed and lake water level fluctuations, respectively. The clay mineral assemblages attest for significant pedogenesis transformations, especially during the Islamic/Ottoman period. Based on XRF results, an increase in potassium is attributed to a lake development phase during a wet phase An overflow of the Orontes River would be responsible for clay deposition. By contrast, increased calcium and strontium rather correspond to a low lacustrine level and a drier period. The Bronze and Iron/Hellenistic periods are both characterized by low lake level with limited contribution from the watershed. To conclude, our multiproxy study of the Lake Amik allows to decipher between tectonic, human and climate influences over the last 4000 years. Further step would be to compare the Amik record with other regional archives to evidence local and regional events. [less ▲]

Lake sediments are sensitive to landscape changes and most of these changes seem to be modulated by land-use (anthropogenic factors) coupled to palaeoenvironmental/palaeoclimatic changes. In its detrital ... [more ▼]

Lake sediments are sensitive to landscape changes and most of these changes seem to be modulated by land-use (anthropogenic factors) coupled to palaeoenvironmental/palaeoclimatic changes. In its detrital fraction, the lacustrine sediments record the history of soil erosion within its catchment via the inputs of clays and others detrital products. Within a Mediterranean context, the study investigates the upper sediments infilling the central part of the Amik basin in southern Turkey. This tectonic basin was occupied and exploited by modern human at least since 6000-7000 BC. We focus on the clay mineralogy (x-ray diffraction on oriented aggregates) and magnetic susceptibility measurements (Bartington) of the sedimentary record in the area over the last 4000 years, to assess environmental changes in relation with the different land uses and/or weathering during the successive Bronze, Iron, Roman, Islamic/Ottoman and Modern civilizations. The clay fraction of Amik Lake sediments comprises smectite, kaolinite, illite, chlorite and chlorite/smectite mixed layers that are the inherited clay phases. A relative change in abundance and crystallinity and chemistry of illite attests that environmental conditions evolved in the Amik Plain from the Bronze to Modern Age in relation with climates and/or land-use changes. The history of the Amik Lake reveals different soil erosion episode. The most intense erosion phase occurred during the Bronze/Iron Ages as indicated by the clay and magnetic susceptibility proxies. The Roman period was an exceptional period with soil erosion products arriving from the watershed, probably due the water channelization. A reduction of soil erosion occurred during the post Roman period until nowadays. Significant pedogenesis transformations are evidenced, especially during the Islamic/Ottoman periods suggesting intense chemical weathering conditions related to climate change. [less ▲]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region occupied since 6000-7000 BC has sustained a highly variable anthropic pressure culminating during the Late Roman Period when the Antioch city reached its ... [more ▼]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region occupied since 6000-7000 BC has sustained a highly variable anthropic pressure culminating during the Late Roman Period when the Antioch city reached its golden age. The present 6m long sedimentary record of the Amik Lake occupying the central part of the Basin constrains major paleo-environmental changes over the last 4000 years using a multi-proxy analyses (grain-size, magnetic susceptibility and XRF geochemistry). An age model is provided by combining short-lived radionuclides with radiocarbon dating. A lake/marsh prevailed during the last 4kyrs with a level increase at the beginning of the Roman Period possibly related to optimum climatic condition and water channelling. The Bronze/Iron Ages are characterized by a strong terrigenous input linked to deforestation, exploitation of mineral resources and the beginning of upland cultivation. The Bronze/Iron Age transition marked by the collapse of the Hittite Empire is clearly documented. Erosion continues during the Roman Period and nearly stopped during the Early Islamic Period in conjunction with a decreasing population and soil depletion on the calcareous highland. The soil-stripped limestone outcrops triggered an increase in CaO in the lake water, and a general decrease in ZrO2 released in the landscape that lasts until the present day. During the Islamic Period, pastoralism on the highland sustained continued soil erosion of the ophiolitic Amanus Mountains. The modern Period is characterized by a higher pressure particularly on the Amanus Mountains linked to deforestation, road construction, ore exploitation and the drying of the lake for agriculture practices. [less ▲]

The Roman aqueduct of Antioch-on-the-Orontes (Southern Turkey) is situated close to the Antioch city. This last is located near the Amik Lake (Lake of Antioch) and close to the junction between the active ... [more ▼]

The Roman aqueduct of Antioch-on-the-Orontes (Southern Turkey) is situated close to the Antioch city. This last is located near the Amik Lake (Lake of Antioch) and close to the junction between the active Dead Sea fault and the East Anatolian fault. During the Roman period, the Amik Plain was more densely occupied than at any time in its history [1]. The study focuses on the bricks and the lake sediments characterization in order to determine the source area as well as the technical production used at this period. For this purpose, several bricks were sampled on different parts of the city's aqueducts. Furthermore, a core of about 6 m of sediments was also collected from the dried Amik Lake. The bricks were characterized through a mineralogical (XRD) and chemical (PIXE-PIGE) approaches. Unfired clay fraction remained as inclusion in the brick was separated and then analysed using XRD. Geochemical composition and clay mineralogy were performed on the raw sediments from the Amik Lake in order to compare the source area. Technological test will be performed on the raw clay sediments from the Amik Lake in the purpose to understand the production techniques used at this time. The age of the brick production was previously dated to the Roman Period [2]. The synthesis of all the data attested the Amik Lake sediment as the raw material for the bricks of the aqueduct. Clay mineral composition from the Roman period deposited in the lake is smectite, illite, kaolinite and small amount of mixed-layer clays. The similar clays composition is found in the remained clays on the brick used for the aqueduct construction. Fast and heterogeneous firing practice characterized the manufacturing of these materials due to the rapid need for the materials during the post-seismic repairs after earthquakes that are mentioned in historical written works. [1] J. Casana, Geomorphology, 101, 429-442 (2008) [2] Y. Benjelloun, J. de Sigoyer, J. Carlut, A. Hubert-Ferrari, H. Dessales, H. Pamir, V. Karabacak, Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 347, 170-180 (2015) [less ▲]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region has been continuously inhabited since 6000 – 7000 BC. The study focuses on the sedimentary record of the Amik Lake located in the central part of the ... [more ▼]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region has been continuously inhabited since 6000 – 7000 BC. The study focuses on the sedimentary record of the Amik Lake located in the central part of the basin. Our objective is to constrain major paleo-environmental changes in the area over the last 4000 years and to unravel possible human impacts on the sedimentation. A diverse array of complementary methods was applied on the 6 m long record. Mineralogical (XRD), and geochemical (XRF) analyses were performed. The age of the record is constrained combining radionuclide and radiocarbon dating. A high sedimentation rate of 0.12 cm/yr was inferred at the studied site. The 4000 years (since ~1800 BC) long record shows that significant fluctuations of the lake level and the riverine system inflow into the Amik Lake occurred. The Late Bronze lowstand led to punctual dryings of the lake at the end of the Bronze/Iron Age transition. At that time, the rivers yielded a large terrigenous input linked to strong soil erosion related mainly to deforestation and exploitation of mineral resources. During the Roman and later periods, upland soils were partly depleted and the riverine system completely transformed by channelization (anthropic) that led to a marshification of the Amik Basin [1]. Chemical and mineralogical composition of sediments is quite diversified reflecting the significant geological variation of drainage basins. Periods with strong aggradation linked to major increase in erosion were identified and characterized by high amount of Cr, Ni and Zr. Levels relatively rich in fluorite, richterite, enstatite, hornblende and chrysotile are a result of the erosion of the ophiolitic rocks from the surrounding Amanos Mountains. These levels are interpreted as periods of relatively high physical erosion, while more humid periods led to more intensive weathering. Consequently, the dominance of kaolinite, muscovite/illite and talc indicates a climate with contrasting seasons. During the most recent period a marked increase in terrigenous minerals associated with a rise in dolomite indicates ungoing erosion as well as the drying-out of the lake. [1] T.J. Wilkinson, L. Rayne, Water History, 2, 115-144 (2010). [less ▲]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region has been continuously occupied since 6000-7000 BC. The landscape has sustained with highly variable anthropic pressure culminating during the Late Roman ... [more ▼]

The Amik Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean region has been continuously occupied since 6000-7000 BC. The landscape has sustained with highly variable anthropic pressure culminating during the Late Roman Period when the Antioch city reached its golden age. The basin also sustained a high seismic activity (M≥7) as it is a releasing step-over along the Dead Sea Fault. The study focuses on the sedimentary record of the Amik Lake occupying the central part of the Basin. Our objective is to constrain major paleo-environmental changes in the area over the last 4000 years and to unravel possible human impacts on the sedimentation. A diverse array of complementary methods was applied on the 6 m long record. High resolution of mineralogical (XRD) and geochemical (XRF) analyses were performed. Quantitative mineralogical phases of sediments by the Rietveld method were computed using Topaz software. The age of the record is constrained combining radionuclide and radiocarbon dating, and checked using the correlation between the earthquake history and rapidly deposited layer identified. A high sedimentation rate of 0.12 cm/yr was inferred at the coring site. The 4000 years old record shows that significant fluctuations of the lake level and the riverine system inflow into the Amik Lake occurred. The Late Bronze lowstand leaded to punctual dryings of the lake at the end of the Bronze/Iron transition marked by the collapse of the Hittite Empire and during the Dark ages. At that time, the riverine was carrying a large terrigenous input linked to strong soil erosion related to deforestation, exploitation of mineral resources and the beginning of upland cultivation. During the Roman Period and in the later periods, upland soils were partly depleted and the riverine system completely transformed by channelization that leaded to a mashification of the Amik Basin. Chemical and mineralogical composition of sediments is quite diversified reflecting the significant geological variation of drainage basins. Abundant calcareous minerals, especially calcite, aragonite, dolomite and small amount of wollastonite characterize the different sedimentary levels recorded in the lake. Levels relatively rich in fluorite, richerite, enstatite, and wollastonite are a result of the erosion of the ophiolitic rocks from the surrounding Amanos Mountains. These levels are interpreted as corresponding to relatively high erosive periods, while more humid periods lead to more intensive weathering and consequently to the dominance of kaolinite, muscovite/illite and talc more advanced in the relative stability scale, indicating a climate with contrasting seasons. During the most recent Period a marked increase in terrigeneous minerals associated with a rise in dolomite indicates ungoing erosion as well as the drying-out of the lake. [less ▲]

The QuakeRecNankai project focuses on geological records of paleoearthquakes along the Nankai-Suruga subduction zone, south central Japan. In the framework of the project, we investigated the Fuji Five ... [more ▼]

The QuakeRecNankai project focuses on geological records of paleoearthquakes along the Nankai-Suruga subduction zone, south central Japan. In the framework of the project, we investigated the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the eastern end of the Nankai-Suruga Trough. Here, we present results from Lake Motosu, the deepest of the Fuji Five Lakes (max. depth 122 m), including seismic reflection profiles, gravity cores and preliminary results of 6.8 m long piston core. We identify mass transport deposits and turbidites possibly triggered by earthquakes. We study the lake sedimentary architecture and the Holocene sedimentation with a high resolution GEOPULSE pinger system. A seismic grid with total length of 39 km covered the lake. We identify a specific seismic horizon that may be related to the Aokigaraharamarubi lava flow (864 A.D.). Strong reflectors may also correlate with tephra layers from Oniwa-Okuniwa eruptions (620-790 A.D). In the western part of the lake, the seismic reflection profile reveals a change after the proposed Oniwa-Okuniwa eruptions in terms of volume and length of mass transport deposits. Large mass-transport deposits occurring before the eruptions are characterized by chaotic seismic facies. After the eruptions, the mass-transport deposits are much smaller and are characterized by transparent seismic facies attributed to turbiditic flow. Six gravity cores (max. 90cm long) provide samples of the lake bottom sediments. In these cores, turbidites and megaturbidites were identified based on facies analyses, combined with X-ray scanning, geophysical properties, grain-size analysis, mineralogy and XRF. During the period between the Oniwa-Okuniwa eruptions and the Aokigaraharamarubi lava flow (620-864 A.D), several lava flows occurred in the northern part of Mount Fuji and drastically modified the catchment of Lake Motosu. The decreasing of the size of catchment led to a decreasing of sedimentary yield in the lake. The change in the sedimentation rate could partly explain why we have a change in the type of mass transport deposit. Additionally, analyses were performed to define the minimum shaking intensity required to destabilize the slope. To assess slope stability, we investigated the clay content and the clay mineralogy of samples taken along the slope. In this presentation, we discuss the link between eruptions of Mount Fuji, decreasing of the size of the catchment, sedimentation rate and earthquake shaking. [less ▲]

The QuakeRecNankai project focuses on geological records of paleoearthquakes along the Nankai-Suruga subduction zone, south central Japan. In the framework of the project, we investigated the Fuji Five ... [more ▼]

The QuakeRecNankai project focuses on geological records of paleoearthquakes along the Nankai-Suruga subduction zone, south central Japan. In the framework of the project, we investigated the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the eastern end of the Nankai-Suruga Trough. Here, we present results from Lake Motosu, the deepest of the Fuji Five Lakes (max. depth 122 m), including seismic reflection profiles and gravity cores. We identify mass transport deposits and turbidites possibly triggered by earthquakes. We study the lake sedimentary architecture and the Holocene sedimentation with a very high resolution GEOPULSE pinger system. A seismic grid with total length of 39 km covered the lake. We identify a specific seismic horizon that may be related to the Aokigaraharamarubi lava flow (864 A.D.). Strong reflectors may also correlate with tephra layers from Oniwa-Okuniwa eruptions (620-790 A.D). In the western part of the lake, the seismic reflection profile reveals a change after the proposed Oniwa-Okuniwa eruptions in terms of volume and length of mass transport deposits. Large mass-transport deposits occurring before the eruptions are characterized by chaotic seismic facies. After the eruptions, the mass-transport deposits are much smaller than previously and characterized by transparent seismic facies attributed to a turbiditic flow. Six gravity cores (max. 90cm) provide samples of the lake bottom sediments. In these cores, turbidites were identified based on facies analyses, combined with X-ray scanning, geophysical properties, grain-size analysis, mineralogy and XRF. An age-depth model was established based on radionuclide dating. We compare the timing of sedimentary events in Lake Motosu with a historical catalogue of natural hazards in the Fuji Five Lakes area, including historical records of megathrust earthquakes rupturing the Nankai subduction zone, the Sagami Trough and other earthquakes occurring along inland faults. Several analyses were performed to understand why we have a change in type of mass transport deposit after the eruptions and to define the minimum shaking intensity required to destabilize the slope. To assess slope stability, we investigated the clay content and the clay mineralogy of the slope. Spatial statistics was also performed in order to evaluate the degree of the slope and the accumulation of sediment. We suggest that the presence of a scoria layer might have contributed to slope destabilization. [less ▲]

In seismically active areas, long term records of large earthquakes are indispensable to constrain reccurence patterns of large earthquakes. In the western Corinth Rift, one of the most active areas in ... [more ▼]

In seismically active areas, long term records of large earthquakes are indispensable to constrain reccurence patterns of large earthquakes. In the western Corinth Rift, one of the most active areas in Europe in terms of seismicity, data about ancient earthquakes are still insufficient, despite historical records covering the last two millenia and several studies in onshore paleoseimology. In this paper, we test the use of offshore sediments from the Gulf of Corinth to identify sediment failures and tsunamis that have been triggered by historical earthquakes. Two shelves (40-100 m deep), one sub-basin (180 m) and the basin floor (330 m) have been sampled by short gravity cores. The cores were analysed in order to identify and characterize event deposits. The age control has been provided by 137Cs and 210Pb activity measurements showing that the cores represent 2 to 4 centuries of sedimentation. In each site, sandy event deposits are interbeded in the muddy, hemipelagic sedimentation. The age of event deposits has been compared to the record of historical earthquakes using new and published macroseismic data. This comparison shows temporal coincidence of some event deposits and documented earthquakes with a macroseismic intensity ≥ VII in the area, e.g. in A.D. 1861, 1888 and 1909. In near-shore, shallow water settings, the record of event deposits does not exactly fit with the historical record of large earthquakes because too few event deposits are present. This may be due to the absence of sediment failures or to a lower preservation of the deposits in such settings. In the deepest site, in the basin floor, the correspondence is better: a sandy turbidite probably corresponds to each large earthquake since A.D. 1850, except one aseismic sediment density flow that occurred at the end of the 20th century. Surprisingly, the Ms=6.2, June 15, 1995 Aigion earthquake is only possibly recorded in one near-shore site on the Aigion Shelf, in the form of a tsunami back-wash flow deposit. This study showed that moderate earthquakes (M 5.8-6.5) can significantly impact marine sediments. Regarding the evaluation of seismic hazard in the area, the basin floor is proposed as a promising site for long term paleoseismology in the Gulf of Corinth, while shallower settings need to be considered more carefully [less ▲]

The western tip of the Corinth Rift is considered as the most active within this major extensional structure, as evidenced by: seismicity, GPS kinematics, and INSAR data (Bernard et al., 2006). Within the ... [more ▼]

The western tip of the Corinth Rift is considered as the most active within this major extensional structure, as evidenced by: seismicity, GPS kinematics, and INSAR data (Bernard et al., 2006). Within the frame of a multidisciplinary project dedicated to seismic hazards assessment for this region, two offshore surveys - high resolution seismic reflection and gravity coring - were conducted in this area. They were dedicated to the Late Quaternary sedimentary fill as the latter was expected to record both long term deformation (Beckers et al., 2015) and sedimentary “events” related to major earthquakes and/or tsunamis. Seismic reflection imaging displays the time and geographical distributions of large submarine landslides (MTDs) during the last 100 kyr. Based on a morpho-sedimentary map and the active fault pattern, up to 2 m-long cores were selected to detect and characterise the possible impact of historical events. The chronological control is based on AMS 14C dating and four detailed 210Pb and 137Cs profiles. Sedimentation (components, sources, transport and settling mechanisms) was analysed through textural, chemical, and mineralogical parameters. Turbidites could be clearly separated from the hemipelagic deposits. Our attempt to correlate identified sedimentary “events” with historical data greatly benefited from a recently elaborated catalog (Albini et al., 2014) with precisely re-located epicentral areas. Cable breaks were also taken into account. Attenuation models (Papazachos & Papaioannou’s, 1997) were used to discuss paleo-intensities vs. distance form epicentral areas. From the whole set of cores, the following results may be underlined: - the correlations between cores from the different sites are not complete, including for a few neighbouring sites belonging to the same morpho-sedimentary unit; we relate these discrepancies to the complex bottom morphology and/or to bottom currents responsible for local erosion; - for several well-documented earthquakes and tsunamis, we could not find a clearly recorded sedimentary impact; - non earthquake-triggered MTDs (as the 1963 event) produced specific layers identical to the major earthquakes impacts. At the difference, for a few cores from the deep axial floor, several sandy or silty turbidites permit to establish correlations: i) between coring sites, ii) with earthquakes which stroke two different areas, respectively east and west of the concerned part of the Gulf. Furthermore, the sedimentary events show a particular time distribution for the last 600 yr: - two intervals with short recurrences: a recent one ( 1900 AD-Present or 1750 AD-Present) and an older one ( 1550 AD-1700 AD or 1450 AD-1800 AD); these time distributions differ from each coring site; - a long “quiet” period (150 to 200 yr). From these results, we tentatively consider this sedimentary record as an indicator of a migration of seismogenic faulting activity. Ref.: Albini, P., et al., 2014. Techn. Rep. I.N.G.V. Roma. Beckers, A., et al., 2015. Marine Geology, 360:55–69 Bernard, P., et al., 2006. Tectonophysics, 426:7-30. Papazachos, C., Papaioannou, C., 1997. Journal of Seismology, 1:181-201. [less ▲]

The Nankai-Suruga Trough, lying immediately south of Japan’s densely populated and highly industrialised southern coastline, generates devastating great earthquakes (magnitude > 8). Intense shaking, crustal deformation and tsunami generation accompany these ruptures. Forecasting the hazards associated with future earthquakes along this >700 km long fault requires a comprehensive understanding of past fault behaviour. While the region benefits from a long and detailed historical record, palaeoseismology has the potential to provide a longer-term perspective and additional insights. Here, we summarise the current state of knowledge regarding geological evidence for past earthquakes and tsunamis, incorporating literature originally published in both Japanese and English. This evidence comes from a wide variety of sources, including uplifted marine terraces and biota, marine and lacustrine turbidites, liquefaction features, subsided marshes and tsunami deposits in coastal lakes and lowlands. We enhance available results with new age modelling approaches. While publications describe proposed evidence from > 70 sites, only a limited number provide compelling, well-dated evidence. The best available records allow us to map the most likely rupture zones of eleven earthquakes occurring during the historical period. Our spatiotemporal compilation suggests the AD 1707 earthquake ruptured almost the full length of the subduction zone and that earthquakes in AD 1361 and 684 were predecessors of similar magnitude. Intervening earthquakes were of lesser magnitude, highlighting variability in rupture mode. Recurrence intervals for ruptures of the a single seismic segment range from less than 100 to more than 450 years during the historical period. Over longer timescales, palaeoseismic evidence suggests intervals ranging from 100 to 700 years. However, these figures reflect thresholds of evidence creation and preservation as well as genuine recurrence intervals. At present, we have not identified any geological data that support the occurrence earthquakes of larger magnitude than that experienced in AD 1707; however, few published studies seek to establish the relative magnitudes of different earthquake and tsunami events. Alongside the paucity of research designed to quantify the magnitude of past earthquakes, we emphasise a number of other issues, including alternative hypotheses for proposed palaeoseismic evidence, the lack of robust chronological frameworks and insufficient appreciation of changing thresholds of evidence creation and preservation over time. These key issues must be addressed by future research. [less ▲]

Deltas contain sedimentary records that are not only indicative of water level changes, but also particularly sensitive to earthquake shaking typically resulting in soft-sediment-deformation structures ... [more ▼]

Deltas contain sedimentary records that are not only indicative of water level changes, but also particularly sensitive to earthquake shaking typically resulting in soft-sediment-deformation structures. The Kürk lacustrine delta lies at the south-western extremity of Lake Hazar in eastern Turkey and is adjacent to the seismogenic East Anatolian Fault (EAF), which has generated earthquakes of magnitude 7. In this paper we have reevaluated water level changes and earthquake shaking that have affected the Kürk Delta combining geophysical data (seismic-reflection profiles and side-scan sonar), remote sensing images, historical data, onland outcrops and offshore coring. The history of water level changes provides a temporal framework for the depositional record. In addition to the commonly soft-sediment-deformation documented previously, onland outcrops reveal a record of deformation (fracturing, tilt and clastic dykes) linked to large earthquake-induced liquefactions and lateral spreading. The recurrent liquefaction structures can be used to obtain a paleoseismological record. Five event horizons were identified that could be linked to historical earthquakes occurring in the last 1000 years along the EAF. Sedimentary cores sampling the most recent subaqueous sedimentation revealed the occurrence of another type of earthquake indicator. Based on radionuclide dating (137Cs and 210Pb), two major sedimentary events were attributed to the 1874-1875 EAF earthquake sequence. Their sedimentological characteristics were determined by X-ray imagery, XRD, LOI, grain-size distribution and geophysical measurements. The events are interpreted to be hyperpycnal deposits linked to post-seismic sediment reworking of earthquake-triggered landslides. [less ▲]

The Nankai-Suruga Trough, the subduction zone that lies immediately south of Japan’s densely populated southern coastline, generates devastating great earthquakes (magnitude > 8) characterised by intense shaking, crustal deformation and tsunami generation. Forecasting the hazards associated with future earthquakes along this >700 km long fault requires a comprehensive understanding of past fault behaviour. While the region benefits from a long and detailed historical record, palaeoseismology has the potential to provide a longer-term perspective and additional crucial insights. In this paper, we summarise the current state of knowledge regarding geological evidence for past earthquakes and tsunamis along the Nankai-Suruga Trough. Incorporating literature originally published in both Japanese and English and enhancing available results with new age modelling approaches, we summarise and critically evaluate evidence from a wide variety of sources. Palaeoseismic evidence includes uplifted marine terraces and biota, marine and lacustrine turbidites, liquefaction features, subsided marshes and tsunami deposits in coastal lakes and lowlands. While 75 publications describe proposed evidence from more than 70 sites, only a limited number provide compelling, well-dated evidence. The best available records enable us to map the most likely rupture zones of twelve earthquakes occurring during the historical period. This spatiotemporal compilation suggests the AD 1707 earthquake ruptured almost the full length of the subduction zone and that earthquakes in AD 1361 and 684 may have been predecessors of similar magnitude. Intervening earthquakes were of lesser magnitude, highlighting the variability in rupture mode that characterises the Nankai-Suruga Trough. Recurrence intervals for ruptures of the same seismic segment range from less than 100 to more than 450 years during the historical period. Over longer timescales, palaeoseismic evidence suggests intervals between earthquakes ranging from 100 to 700 years, however these figures reflect a range of thresholds controlling the of creation and preservation of evidence at any given site as well as genuine earthquake recurrence intervals. At present, there is no geological data that suggest the occurrence of a larger magnitude earthquake than that experienced in AD 1707, however few studies have sought to establish the relative magnitudes of different earthquake and tsunami events along the Nankai-Suruga Trough. Alongside the lack of research designed to quantify the maximum magnitude of past earthquakes, we emphasise issues over alternative hypotheses for proposed palaeoseismic evidence, the paucity of robust chronological frameworks and insufficient appreciation of changing thresholds of evidence creation and preservation over time as key issues that must be addressed by future research. [less ▲]